Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of massive clinical research and to make a basic analysis on the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion treatment on knee osteoarthritis compared to usual care. Methods and Results : This study is a protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial. Forty participants are assigned to the moxibustion group (n=20) and usual care group (n=20). Participants assigned to the moxibustion group receive moxibustion treatment on the affected knee(s) at six standard acupuncture points (ST36, ST35, ST34, SP9, Ex-LE04 and SP10) three times per week for four weeks (total of 12 sessions). Participants in the usual care group don't receive moxibustion treatment during the study period and follow-up are made on the 5th, 9th and 13th weeks after random allocation. Both groups are allowed to use any kind of treatment, including surgery, conventional medication, physical treatment, acupuncture, herbal medicine, over-the-counter drugs and other active treatments. Education material that explains knee osteoarthritis and current management options and self-exercise is provided for each group. The pain scale of the Korean Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Questionnaire (K-WOMAC) is the primary outcome measurement used in this study. Other subscales of the K-WOMAC, the Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Physical Function test, Patient Global Assessment, and Pain Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) are used as outcome variables to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture. Safety is assessed at every visit. Conclusions : The result of this trial will provide a basis for the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture treatment for knee osteoarthritis.

Objectives : Burn is the important adverse effect of the moxibustion treatment. This research does with the purpose to utilize as basic data which the results of histological observation of the burn tissue which generates when operating various commercial indirect moxa (CIM) on the skin, evaluate the burn because of the surgical operation. Methods : It operated 6 kinds of CIM on the depilated abdomen of the rat. By using the H-E staining and TUNEL assay, the image was observed and analyzed. Results : It could be the moxibustion medical treatment using the CIM generated in the first degree burn until the third degree. And in some case, burn has not generated. By using the H-E stain, the second-degree burn and third degree was observed, and it was observed the first degree burn by using TUNEL assay. In the first degree burn, TUNEL reaction in the epidermal layer was confirmed. The damage to the dermal layer was observed in more than 2 degree burn. In the third degree, the tissue degeneration to the subcutaneous fat was observed but the thickness of the skin tissue was not observed. Conclusions : Basic data classifying the burn generated by the CIM treatment through the histological observation of the burn tissue caused by the CIM treatment were built according to this research result.

Objectives : This study estimated antioxidant effects of the moxi with ginger tar (MGT) ; chemical combustion products produced by moxibustion with ginger during combustion. Methods : To do this aim, we investigated total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, SOD (superoxide dismutase) scavenging activity, ABTS (2.2-azino-bis-3-erthylbenzo-thiazoline-6- sulfonic acid) & DPPH(2,2-Dipheny1-1 -picryl-hydrazyl) radical's scavenging ability of MGT. Results : Total polyphenol contents of MGT was mg/g in 10 mg/ml, SOD activity was in 200 ug/ml, DPPH radical scavenging effect of MGT was in 200 ug/ml and ABTS radical scavenging effect was in 200 ug/ml. Conclusions : In this study, the effects of moxi with ginger could be induced by not only heating stimulus on acupoints but also chemical stimulus produced during combustion of moxibustion, MGF. The advanced study about biological mechanism through meridian system, skin aging, and inflammation on MGT will be required.

Objectives : This study aimed to explore the passive multi-channel time series analysis method by measuring bio-potentials of acupuncture point and the peripheral region Methods : Bio-potential was measured at ST36 and the peripherical region of ST36 of 5 healthy volunteers at three times. The diagram of the potential changes over time were smoothed by moving average method and similarities of ST36 and the other points were calculated. Results : In the normal weight group, bio-potential similarity tended to decrease in proportion to the distance from the acupuncture point. In the obesity group, bio-potential similarity appeared in a very wide area. Bio-potential similarity had positive correlation with BMI value. Conclusions : The passive multi-channel time series analysis method showed the possibility be appropriate for the electrical characteristics study of meridians.

Objectives : This study is aimed to evaluate and objectify the therapeutic effect of moxibustion on muscle fatigue recovery. Methods : To evaluate the therapeutic effect on the muscle fatigue recovery, we compared the fatigue recovery of two groups (non-stimulation group and moxibustion group) by analyzing the EMG and peak torque after strenuous knee exercise of isokinetic contraction. Results : The median frequency (MF) of the moxibustion group was recovered faster than that of the non-stimulation group. However, the peak torques of both groups were not restored until after 20 minutes. Nevertheless, the moxibustion group's peak torque was regained higher than that of the non-stimulation group. Conclusions : We confirmed the therapeutic effect of moxibustion and found that the moxibustion can used as prevention method for musculoskeletal disease.

Objectives : The survey was conducted to find out ear acupuncture usage of clinical traditional Korean medicine doctor and lay a foundation for the standards for its clinical application. Methods : An e-mail was sent to Korean medicine doctors whose email addresses are registered at the Association of Korea Oriental Medicine twice over two weeks. 280 completed questionnaires were used for the analysis. Results : 66.07% of respondents answered in use, whereas the answer that "less than 10 per 100 patient applied" was more than majority of 54.29%. The major field of treatment is addictive disorders such as smoking and the 80.11% patients got less than 3 days of treatment. Ear region was the most commonly treated area with 66.67%. Since the self removal frequency was high as 65.05% in compared to the case of visiting clinic. The rate of side effects was less than 10% (96.70%), and these side effects showed light symptoms such as "pain" (46.95%), itchiness (29.27%), flare (19.51%). The Acquired complements for improving ear acupuncture treatment was "the development of effective treatment manual" (28.57%) and "increasing insurance costs" (27.86%). Conclusions : Based on the survey, the vast majority of the TKM doctor used ear acupuncture but the frequency of use was low. We hope this study can be the basis for development of treatment manuals for various indications and safe treatment guidelines.

Objectives : The aim of this study is to propose the W area of pulse (AW) as a new index which can confirm the arteriosclerosis by analyzing parameters of 5-level pressure pulse waveform measurement system for normotensive group according to aging. Methods : We measured radial pulse waveforms of normotensive group (20 to 60 years old) using 3-dimensional pulse imaging analyser (DMP-3000, DAEYOMEDI Co., Korea). And then we analyzed various parameters for sclerosis of the arteries such as Height (h1, h2, h3, h4, h5), Time (t1, t2, t3, t4, t5), AW, AW rate, Total area of pulse (At) and Augmentation Index (AIx). Results : As a result of analyzing parameters according to the aging, h2, h3, AS (systolic area rate to AT), AIx and AW were increased but t2/t, t3/t, t5/t and AD (diastolic area rate to AT) were decreased. Conclusions : We checked blood vessel conditions for normotensive group according to aging and confirmed various parameters. Also, we found that AW was analogous to AIx which has been used for diagnosing arteriosclerosis. Furthermore, we confirmed the usefulness of AW as a new parameter for checking vessel condition and characteristic compared with the AIx.

Objectives : The purpose of our investigation is to determine degrees of concordance rate among interpreters. Furthermore, we have examined how much concordance rate to come out when beginners have been compared with the pulse analyzer. Methods : Thirty-nine volunteers were enrolled for this study. These subjects took a 5-minute rest in a sitting position as instructed by the protocol. As they were not allowed to move or speak, radial artery pulse conditions were measured on the lower arm of each subject by means of the pulse analyzer under investigation. Two Korean medical doctors, who did not know the status of default pulse conditions, were also instructed to intuitively choose the most corresponding one in comparison with 13 default pulse conditions. Subsequently, we investigated results between interpreters as well as results between interpreter and pulse analyzer. Results : The total concordance rate, with similar concordance rates being included, between interpreters, between interpreter A and pulse analyzer, and between interpreter B and pulse analyzer was 56.4%, 79.5%, and 71.8% respectively. In faint fine weak pulse(微細弱脈) case, interpreter A and B selected 6 and 7 cases respectively, matched the concordance rate 5, and corresponded separately with the pulse analyzer interpreting 8 cases. Conclusions : In case of skipping pulse 2(促2脈), short pulse(短脈), faint fine weak pulse(微細弱脈), the concordance between interpreters also matches with results drawn from the pulse analyzer. The concordance rate goes higher in proportion with such smaller pulse conditions as faint fine weak pulse(微細弱脈) and short pulse(短脈).

Objectives : This study was done to investigate the degree of the pulse wave parameter of post-mastectomy women and to identify the relationships between each of them. Methods : Data were obtained from public health center in Busan Metropolitan city. Participants were 82 post-mastectomy women aged 31-82. the data collection was from Oct, 1, 2010 to Oct, 31, 2010. the data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, Duncan test. A p-value less than .05 was considered significant by 2-tailed test. All statistical analyses were performed with SPSS/Win(ver 12.0). Results : As for the difference in the pulse wave by the general characteristics. The pulse energy was showed highly in the order of Chon, Quan and Chuk of left and right pulse respectively. In the pulse energy of left Quan and right Chon, the case of both mastectomy was showed highly and in the pulse energy of left Chuk, the case of right mastectomy was showed highly. Left and right pulse energy of menopause female were significantly higher than normal range except left Chon and Chuk. In h1, h2, h4, h5, t1, t2, AP and Aw, the pulse energy of left Chon was showed the largest significantly. In As, the pulse energy of right Chon was showed the smallest and in Ad, right Chuk was showed the largest. In RAI, right and left Chuk was showed the highest respectively. Conclusions : From these result, we can see that there are relation between women's age, area of operation breast and menopause after mastectomy in pulse wave. The result of this study will become basic data necessary for the Oriental Medicine treatment to reduce or prevent women's functional difficulties, symptomatology after mastectomy.

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to review the principal of Sacred tortoise method (Younggupalbub) and to investigate the usefulness of it. Methods : The authors reviewed several literatures related with the Sacred tortoise method (Younggupalbub). We investigated the clinical usefulness as well found some problems in utilizing it. Results and Conclusions : Sacred tortoise method (Younggupalbub) is an acupuncture treatment used according to the time and it may cause many problems for the patients and oriental medical doctors in the clinical use.

Objectives : This study was performed to review the principal of Bideungpalbub and to investigate the usefulness of it. Methods : The authors reviewed several literatures about Younggupalbub and investigated the clinical usefulness as well found some problems with it. Results and Conclusions : Bideungpalbub is a time related-acupuncture treatment and has a possibility to make some problems for the patients and oriental medical doctors.

Objectives : This study is aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of Ryodoraku for traditional Korean medicine practice reported in the Korean literature. Methods : A search of seven Korean databases was performed up to May 2011 using the search term 'Ryodoraku(in Korean)'. All clinical studies on diagnostic Ryodoraku characteristics were included. Results : The search yielded 59 studies, of which 5 were considered suitable for this analysis. Four were observational studies. Only one was a controlled trial. Average Ryodoraku score(RS), mean values for each measure point, physiologic limit, number of Pyesaek and Gyeokcha, and pattern classification were used as references for the analysis. Correlations were observed between average RS and idiopathic Parkinson's disease, some sub-groups of respiratory disease, chronic low back pain, and menopause. Some mean values for measure points showed particularly high or low tendencies in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease, chronic low back pain, and menopause. Positive correlations were observed between the number of Pyesaek and H-Y stage in idiopathic Parkinson's disease and F2(肝) and the modified Kupperman's index with menopausal women. The four classes, organized based on Ryodoraku pattern, showed differences in various characteristics. Conclusions : Since only five studies met the experimental conditions, this evaluation of the diagnostic value of Ryodoraku in various situations is limited. Future studies should be conducted using various physiologic and pathologic situations.

Objectives : This research dealt with the content of the hot medicinal compress technique in Donguibogam in order to develope the hot medicinal compress technique as a new therapy technique. Methods : In this research, we searched for the hot medicinal compress treatment in Donguibogam. Results : The hot medicinal compress technique mainly cures the diseases on the body surface and it can be applied to digestive troubles and gynecologic diseases. The hot medicinal compress technique is operated mainly at wound around the affected parts and it is applied to the constitutional symptom at the abdominal region. In the hot medicinal compress technique was used much more with medication, and the herbs used in the treatment consists of hot tastes and the warm characteristics. In the hot medicinal compress method with direct heating the herbs was mainly used. Conclusions : The hot medicinal compress technique is considered as treatment which can be utilized easily and it can be used an easy and useful self-treatment.

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to obtain some knowledge about the acupuncture treatments on Parkinson's disease for the future practice and the research from the clinical studies in China. Methods : The literatures were searched using the data base-China Academic Journals (CAJ) (1994-2011). Clinical studies of acupuncture for Parkinson's disease such as randomized controlled trial (RCT), non-randomized controlled trial (NRCT), case series, case report were included. Results : Of 145 articles, 52 Clinical studies met our inclusion criteria: 20 RCTs, 7 NRCTs, 22 case series and 3 case reports. Various kinds of acupuncture treatments such as scalp acupuncture, body acupuncture, abdominal acupuncture, acupoint injection, eye acupuncture and thick needle acupuncture (粗鍼) were used in the clinical studies. The treatment and control groups take Madopa Tablet (Levodopa + Benserazide HCl) in the same time in many studies, and Madopa treatment was used as a comparative treatment in the most of studies. Acupuncture treatment was done daily or 2~3 times a week for 2~20 weeks. All of studies reported high effective rate in the treatment group compared to control group. Conclusions : The results of this study could be used for the future study about the acupuncture therapy for Parkinson's disease.

Objectives : This study was performed to find a desirable way for acupuncture treatment of Alzheimer Disease. Methods : The authors reviewed several literatures about 'Alzheimer Disease' and 'Dementia'. Based on the review, we interpreted the causes and symptoms on viewpoint of three yin and three yang, and also researched desirable way for acupuncture treatment of Alzheimer Disease. Results and Conclusions : The symptoms of Alzheimer Disease belong to the unbalance between reverting yin and lesser yang. The factors affecting attack rate of Alzheimer Disease are also related with the unbalance between reverting yin and lesser yang. It is necessary to inhibit the function of reverting yin and to activate the function of lesser yang for the acupuncture treatment of Alzheimer Disease.

Objectives : The aim of this study is to find a desirable way for acupuncture treatment of Vascular Dementia. Methods : The author reviewed several literatures related with Vascular Dementia. Based on the literatures, the author interpreted the causes and symptoms of Vascular Dementia on viewpoint of three yin and three yang. In addition, research about desirable way for acupuncture treatment was carried out. Results and Conclusions : The cause of Vascular Dementia is thought to be the functional weakness of lesser yin, the heart meridian. Also, the related-factors represent functional excess of reverting yin and greater yin, as well show functional weakness of lesser yin. Accordingly, for the acupuncture treatment of Vascular Dementia, it is necessary to tonify lesser yin. On the other hand, the activation of lesser yang is thought to be helpful.

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to examine the theory of mind and body practice in Dan-Jeon-Ju-Seon from the point of views of Taoism, Buddhism, and Oriental medicine. Methods : An ideological background and development of Dan-Jeon-Ju-Seon was first examined. Then, the definition of, other descriptions of, and various locations of, Dan-Jeon were investigated. In addition, the theory of Qi movement of Shui Sheng Huo Jiang (ascent of water Chi and descent of fire Chi) in Dan-Jeon-Ju-Seon was taken into consideration from perspectives on the thought of Taoist Nei Dan (internal alchemy) and Oriental medicine. Finally, the characteristics of mind and body practice in Dan-Jeon-Ju-Seon. Results & Conclusions : Dan-Jeon in Dan-Jeon-Ju-Seon consists of three parts, upper, middle, and lower Dan-Jeon, which is related to Jing (sperm, essence) Qi (breath, eneregy) Shen (spirit, intellect) of our body. Jing Qi Shen is a crucial part in our mind and body, mind and body are connected by energy, and the energy flow is possible by ascent of water Chi and descent of fire Chi. Ultimately, Dan-Jeon-Ju-Seon is a method of practice to keep one's mind and body healthy, and its purpose is to do timeless meditation in our daily lives regardless of time and place.